Chocolate coin

Chocolate coins, or chocolate money, are foil-covered chocolates in the shape of coins. They are usually created with milk chocolate.

A wrapped chocolate coin in the form of a British farthing

The same coin, unwrapped.

Wrapped chocolate coins mimicking coins of several currencies

History

As a Christmas tradition, chocolate coin giving is said to be inspired by the deeds of Saint Nicholas in the fourth century,^[1] with chocolate coins introduced some time after chocolate's introduction into Europe in the sixteenth century.^{[citation needed]}

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, chocolate coins mimic the design of real money; they are traditionally bought around Christmas and are used to decorate the Christmas tree and to fill the stockings of children. When children visit a friend or relative they are allowed to find and take chocolates from the tree as a treat. A variant of this is that chocolate coins are hidden somewhere in the house for children to find, often in the form of a treasure trail.^[2]

Hannukah Gelt

During the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, chocolate coins are sometimes given to children in addition or in replacement of the traditional gelt (gift of money), typically with a dreidel.^[3]

Chinese New Year

For Chinese New Year, in place of traditional Hongbao or "lucky money", chocolate coins are sometimes now given.^[4][5]

Chocolate coin collections

 

Chocolate coin collection by antipodes café, exhibited in 2022.

During "Festival Cuéntalo", held in Logroño in November 2022, the Norwegian non-profit organization "antipodes café" presented the exhibition "illegal tender" at Logroño City Hall, showcasing their collection of chocolate coins.^[6] This installation included hundreds of unique designs mimicking legal tender. However, in some cases, coins with fake or "fantastic" designs were included. For example Rubles with a butterfly on their obverse, or "Argentinian Besos" (instead of "Argentinian Pesos") were displayed at the aforementioned show. According to the authors, "(…) [the] presentation [of their chocolate coin collection] is inspired by coin exhibitions, distancing this quotidian objects from their functionality and users, adding value —in the broadest sense of the term— through a distinguished position, flawless use of materials, lightning conditions, control of circulation, and additional information." ^[7]

See also

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chocolate coins.

•  Food portal

• Hanukkah gelt
• List of candies

References

1. . www.ownways.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2008.
2. Christmas Tree Traditions in Britain (A British Christmas) 2012-12-06 at the Wayback Machine
3. "Hanukkah History: Those Chocolate Coins Were Once Real Tips". NPR.org. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
4. "Chocolate Coins - History, Uses and Traditions Around the World". Bakerycity. 2022-08-16. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
5. "Fortuitous food: Lucky Chinese New Year food and auspicious snacks that you should try in Hong Kong". Honeycombers Hong Kong. 2022-01-06. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
6. "illegal tender, 2022". antipodes café. 2022-11-07. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
7. "Hoby of kings". antipodes café. 2022-11-07. Retrieved 2023-05-09.